Mattress tufting machine



Feb. 27, 1934. w DRQLL ET AL 1,949,148

MATTRESS TUFTING MACHINE Filed June 2, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l El E3 Feb. 27, 1934. J w DRQLL AL 1,949,148

MATTRESS TUFTING MACHINE Filed June 2, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 J. W. DROLL ET AL MATTRESS TUFTING MACHINE Filed June 2, 1932 Feb. 27, 1934.

p QEEEuEu 0 z Patented Feb. 27, 1934 UNITED STATES MATTRESS TUFTING MACHINE Joseph W. Droll, Chicago, and Alex H. Olson,

Evanston, Ill., assignors to Droll Patents Corporation of Delaware, Chicago, III., a corpora tion of Delaware Application June 2, 1932. Serial No. 615,057

13 Claims.

The invention relates to machines used for tufting mattresses by hand, and its objects are to provide; an improved tufting machine which comprises a pair of oppositely facing frames for compressing a mattress therebetween and holding it in position wherein tufts may be readily placed and secured therein by hand, and also comprises transversely adjustable compressor members on the frames for difierent spacing and arrangement of the tufts; improved mechanism for shifting the frames to and from one another to compress and release the mattress; and an improved adjustment and. construction for the compressor members whereby in response to relative transverse adjustment of the bars, the tufts can be symmetrically locatedwith different longitudinal and transverse spacings. Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present machine .will be apparent from a consideration of the following specification.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification or disclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a tufting machine embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical, longitudinal sectiontaken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 2 is a perspective of one of the lower adjustable compressor members. Figs. 2 and 2 35. are perspectives of portions of the lower frame.

Fig. 3 is a vertical, transverse section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1. Figs. 3 and 3 are perspectives of the controlling devices for the mechanism for driving the screws to spread and close the frames.

The machine which forms the subject matter of the invention is adapted for use in connection with the hand tufting of a mattress 14 and embodies a supporting structure comprising a base and uprights 11 and 12. The latter are rigid with and extend upwardly from the base. A pair of hangers 13 are pivoted in the upper ends of the uprights and serve to support rotatably a lower frame and an upper frame 16. The mattress 14 is adapted to be compressed between these two frames. The lower frame 15 is fixed to the'hangers 13. Each of the frames comprises laterally spaced side bars 17 and a pair of crossbars 13 at either end, all fixedly secured together. The hangers 13 permit the lower frame 15 and the upper frame 16 which is adjustably carried by the lower frame as hereinafter described to swing from a horizontal mattress receiving position to a vertical or inclined mattress tufting position. The upper frame 16 is adjustably supported by a series of four screw-posts 19 which are journalled in, and held against longitudinal movement by brackets 20 which are fixed in the lower frame 15. The upper frame 16 has affixed thereto four nuts 21 which are threaded to the posts 19 so that the upper frame can be shifted or moved to and from the lower frame by rotation of the posts 19. When the frames are horizontal and separated, the mattress 14 may be easily placed on the lower frame. A sprocketchain 23 extends around four sprocket-wheels 22 on: the lower ends of the posts 19 and serves to rotate the posts conjointly for frame shifting purposes. A bevel gear 24 is fixed to the lower end of one of the posts 19. A shaft 27 is mounted in a bearing 26 on the frame 15 and has fixed to one end thereof a bevel gear 25 for driving the gear 24. The other end 27 of the shaft is square and is adapted to be coupled to and uncoupled from a power driven shaft 41 on the upright 12. When the gear 24 is rotated in one direction, the four screw-shaft posts 19 will be simultaneously rotated to separate the frame 16 from the frame 15 so the mattress 14 can be placed upon the lower frame and so it can be removed after it has been tufted. Reverse rotation of the gear 24 will rotate the posts 19 to lower the frame 16 andcompress and hold the mattress on the frame 15, so it can be tilted into vertical or inclined position for manual tufting.

Each of the frames carries a series of transversely slidable compressor-members 28 and a fixed central member 28 Each of said members extends longitudinally of the machine and is trough-shaped and tapered to engage the mattress on a line where a longitudinal row of tufts are to be placed. A pair of longitudinal bars 28' are fixed to the sides of each member 28. The ends of said bars 28' are notched as at 28" to interfit with a pair of the cross-bars 18 and the members are held against endwise movement and in sliding contact with said bars 18 by guidebars 30 which are fixed to and spaced from said bars 18 by spacers 30'. The bars 28 are slidably adjustable on the frames so the transverse spacing between the compressor members 28 can be varied in order to accommodate mattresses of different sizes and to adapt the machine for different styles of tufting, such for example as diamond tufting or biscuit" tufting.

A system of crossed levers 33, adjacent either end of each frame 15, 16, is adapted to adjust simultaneously and equi-distantly the compressor-members 28. A bracket 31 is amxed to each pair of bars 28 and the crossings of these levers are pivoted on studs 32 on the brackets. The central pair of each lever system is pivoted on a stud 31' which is fixed on the central nonadjustable compressor-member 28 of each frame. These lever-systems insure rectilinear and equidistant movement of the compressor-members 28. The lever-systems on each frame 15, 16 are longitudinally connected by a pair of locking-connections consisting of rods 34, slotted-members 35 and nuts 36 on bolts which pass through the slots in the members 35, and which, when tight, will prevent pivotal movement of the levers 33 so they will be locked in any assigned position.

When the nuts 36 are released, the operator can shift either system of levers to adjust simultaneously and equidistantly the compressor-members 28 to and from the central stationary compressor-members 28 Each compressor-member has convergent Walls 37 and an inner wall 38. Slots 39 and holes 39' are formed in the walls 38. The holes are located at the places desired for different designs and are suitably marked to indicate to the operator the places at which tufts should be placed for different designs and spacings. When the compressor-members have been set for the style or spacing of tufting desired, and the frame 16 has been shifted to compress the mattress against the frame 15, the frames and mattress can be swung into vertical position, and the operators with suitable needles, can pass the tufting cords through the holes 39 and secure tufts on the cords in any manner well known in the art. The slots 39 in the inner walls 38 of the compressor members, connect the holes 39' so that tufts may be tied into the mattress at points between the holes for any special arrangement of tufts desired.

To prevent the mattress 14 from contacting with the posts 19, pairs of toggle links 60 and 61 are pivoted to and extend between the frames 15 and 16.

The upper frame 16 is adapted to be shifted to and from the lower frame 15 by power from an electric motor 40 through mechanism comprising the shaft 41 which is mounted in a hearing 42 on the upright 12, a fixed pulley 43 on said shaft, a straight belt 44, a crossed belt 45, and a coupling collar 46 which is slidably mounted on the inner end of shaft 41. Shaft 41 may be also manually operated by a crank applied to its outer end. Belts 44 and 45 are both constantly driven by a pulley 47 on the armature shaft of the motor. Belt 44 is normally held on a loose-pulley 48, and belt 45 is normally held on a loose pulley 49. When belt 44 is shifted from pulley 48 to pulley 43, shaft 41 will rotate in one direction to rotate screw-posts 19 to spread the frames 15, 16. When the crossed belt 45 is on the pulley 43, shaft 41 will be driven in reverse direction to rotate the screw-posts 19, so the frames 15, 16 will be brought together to compress the mattress. A lever 50, pivoted on a bracket 56, is adapted to shift belt 44, and a lever 51 is adapted to shift belt 45. These levers are normally held by springs 50' and 51' to keep the belts off the fixed pulley 43. A spring-pressed -latch 52 engages a bar 54 to hold lever 50 in its shifted position. A spring-pressed latch 55 enla es a bar 55' to hold the lever 51 in its shifted 1,949,148 position. Collar 46 is slidable on shaft 41 to dislease shifter lever 50 for belt 44 at the end of... the maximum upstroke of frame 16, and also carries an adjustable abutment 57 which engages latch 55 to release shifter lever 51 for belt 55 when the frame 16 has been lowered properly to compress the mattress.

In operation, the mattress to be tufted will be placed on the frame 15 while frame 16 is raised. Coupling 46 will then be connected to shaft 27. Lever 51 is then shifted to bring the crossedbelt 45 onto pulley 43 to drive shafts 41, 27, gears 25, 24, and chain 23 to rotate the four screwposts 19 simultaneously, and shift the frame 16 downwardly to compress the mattress between members 28, 28. When the mattress has been compressed as desired, adjustable abutment 57 strikes latch 55 whch causes the latter to release spring-pressed lever 51 and the belt 45 to be shifted onto loose-pulley 49 to stop, shaft 41. Coupling 46 is next disconnected from shaft 27 to release frames 15, 16 from the driving mechanism. These frames, with the compressed mattress, are then tilted to a vertical or inclined position so the mattress can be tufted by passing the ties for the tufts through the mattress at the holes 39. When this has been done, the frames can be swung into horizontal position to align shafts 27, 41 so coupling 46 can be connected to shaft 27. Lever 50 is then shifted to bring belt 44 onto the fixed pulley 43 to rotate the screwposts 19 so they will lift the frame 16 the desired distance from the frame 15, so the tufted mattress can be removed.

To change the transverse spacing of the compressor-members, each of which has openings for a horizontal row of tufts, the operator will release nuts 36 and adjust the lever-systems 33 on each frame 15, 16, to effect the transverse spacing desired between the members. By placing tufts at the holes marked D (see Fig. 1) the tufts may be located to produce diamond tufting, and by placing tufts at the holes marked B, biscuit tufting will be produced.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth, since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a mattress tufting machine of the character described, the combination of a pair of oppositely facing, mattress supporting frames adjustable transversely one relatively to the other for mattress compressing and releasing purposes and supported to swing on a substantially horizontal axis, and a series of compressor members adjustably mounted on each frame, each member having means to locate points and through which needles can be manually passed for attaching a acter described, the combination of a pair cate points for attaching a row of tufting devices to a mattress between the frames, and means for uniformly and simultaneously adjusting the side and intermediate members on the frames respectively to vary the spacing between the rows.

3. In a mattress tufting machine of the character described, the combination of a pair of oppositely facing, mattress supporting frames adjustable transversely one relatively to the other for mattress compressing and releasing purposes and mounted to swing on a substantially horizontal axis, and a series of compressor members slidably mounted on each frame one of which is fixed and the others of which are slidable transversely to and from the fixed member, a fixed central compressor member, each member having means to locate points for attaching a row of tufting devices to the mattress.

4. In a mattress tufting machine of the character described, the combination of a pair of side and intermediate relatively adjustable, mattress supporting frames, a series of compressor members slidably mounted on each frame, a fixed central compressor member on each frame, each member having means to locate points for attaching a row of tufting devices to the mattress, and means for uniformly and simultaneously shifting the slidably mounted members on the frames respectively, to vary the spacing between the rows.

5. In a mattress tufting machine of the character described, the combination of a support, a pair of relatively adjustable, mattress supporting frames on the support, side and intermediate compressor members for locating rows of tufts, movably mounted on each frame, and lever-systems comprising levers between and pivoted to the members on the frames respectively for equidistantly and simultaneously shifting the members to vary the spacing between the rows.

6. In a mattress tufting machine of the character described, the combination of a support, a pair of relatively adjustable mattress supporting frames on the support, a series of compressor members mounted on each frame, one of which is fixedly and the others slidably mounted, and lever-systems comprising crossed levers pivoted to the fixed and slidable members for equidistantly and simultaneously shifting the slidable members on the frames relatively to the fixed members.

'7. In a mattress tufting machine of the character described, the combination of a support, a frame pivoted in the support to swing about a substantially horizontal axis, a second frame adjustably mounted on the pivoted frame, and a series of compressor members adjustably mounted on each of the frames.

8. In a mattress tufting machine of the character described, the combination of a support, a frame pivoted in the support to swing about a substantially horizontal axis, a second frame adjustably mounted on the pivoted frame, a series of tuft locating compressor members slidably mounted on each of the frames, and mechanism for equidistantly and conjointly shifting the members on each frame to vary the spacing between the members.

9. In a mattress tufting machine of the charof oppositely facing frames, one of which is supported to swing about a substantially horizontal axis and the other of which is carried by the one so that it is adjustable transversely relatively thereto, compressor members on the frames, gearing mounted on one of the frames for shifting one frame relatively to the other, stationarily mounted driving mechanism, and a coupling for connecting the gearing and mechanism to drive the gearing when the frames are in one position, said coupling permitting complete disconnection of the gearing and mechanism so the frames can be swung independently of the driving mechanism.

10. In a mattress tufting machine of the character described, the combination of a pair of oppositely facing frames, one of which is supported to swing about a substantially horizontal axis and the other of which is carried by the one so that it is movable transversely relatively thereto, compressor members on the frames, gearing comprising a set of screws and a shaft mounted on one of the frames for shifting one frame relatively to the other, stationarily mounted driving mechanism comprising a shaft, and a detachable coupling for connecting the shafts to drive the gearing when the frames are in one position, and permitting complete disconnection of the shafts so the frames can swing freely.

11. In a mattress tufting machine, the combination of a pair of oppositely facing frames, one of which is supported to swing about a substantially horizontal axis and the other of which is carried by the one so that it'is movable transversely relatively thereto, compressor members on the frames, gearing mounted on one of the frames comprising a set of screws and a shaft for shifting one frame relatively to the other, stationarily mounted power-driven mechanism comprising a shaft and mechanism for driving the latter in opposite directions, a detachable coupling between the shafts, and means controlled by the adjustable frame for stopping the driving mechanism.

12. In a mattress tufting machine, the combination of a pair of oppositely facing relatively adjustable mattress supporting frames, and a series of compressor members on each frame, each member being elongated to engage and compress the mattress on a line for attachment of a substantially complete row of tufting devices, and having an elongated continuous slot therein through which needles can be manually passed for attaching the tufting devices to the mattress.

13. In amattress tufting machine, the combination of a pair of oppositely facing relatively adjustable mattress supporting frames, and a series of compressor members on each frame,

' each member being elongated to engage and com- 1 press the mattress on a line for attachment of a substantially complete row of tufting devices, and having holes therein for locating tufting points and through which needles can be manually passed to attach the tufting devices to the mattress and slots connecting the holes so tufting devices can be applied at intermediate points.

JOSEPH W. DROLL. ALEX H. OLSON. 

